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Penn State Recruits Through Uncertainty as Early Signing Period Looms

Penn State Recruits Through Uncertainty as Early Signing Period Looms

Penn State's 2026 recruiting class largely has dispersed since James Franklin was fired, with more than half of the class' players having decommitted. With the early signing period approaching, interim head coach Terry Smith said the Nittany Lions continue to recruit through the uncertainty, which remains difficult.

Penn State Nittany Lions News / Penn State Nittany Lions on SI / November 26

Nick Saban Endorses Candidate to Follow James Franklin at Penn State

As Penn State's coaching search nears its conclusion, there has been little news but plenty of endorsements regarding James Franklin's replacement. On Wednesday's edition of the Pat McAfee Show, Nick Saban added his.

Penn State Nittany Lions News / The Spun / November 26
Nick Saban Makes Case For Penn State's Next Head Coach

Nick Saban Makes Case For Penn State's Next Head Coach

In his decades as a college football coach across the United States, Nick Saban has a pretty large contacts list of coaching candidates. For the vacant Penn State job, Saban believe that one of his former assistants might be the man for the job.

Kalen Deboer News / CFB-HQ on SI / November 26
$87 million college football coach climbs as a favorite to be named Penn State HC

$87 million college football coach climbs as a favorite to be named Penn State HC

As college football rumors swirl about Lane Kiffin's future, Penn State is quietly searching for the program's next coach to replace James Franklin. The Nittany Lions are still in search of a permanent head coach, while Franklin has already found a new home at Virginia Tech.

Penn State Nittany Lions News / Nittany Central / November 26
3 Things for Penn State Football to be thankful for amid disappointing season

3 Things for Penn State Football to be thankful for amid disappointing season

https://nittanycentral.com/feed/ Throughout this tumultuous fall season, Penn State Football has found little success. The season that began with monster National Championship aspirations now finds itself six weeks into a coaching search.

Penn State Nittany Lions News / Nittany Central / November 26
Penn State’s 6-Game Skid Is a Distant Memory — Terry Smith Talks Bowls, Opt-Outs, and the “Extra Game” Goal

Penn State’s 6-Game Skid Is a Distant Memory — Terry Smith Talks Bowls, Opt-Outs, and the “Extra Game” Goal

https://nittanycentral.com/feed/ Two weeks ago, Penn State Football fans were not even thinking about the possibility of a bowl game as Penn State was riding a six game losing streak and had yet to win a conference game.

Penn State Nittany Lions News / Nittany Central / November 26
What History Says About Penn State Hiring Terry Smith … And Why the Risk Is Real

What History Says About Penn State Hiring Terry Smith … And Why the Risk Is Real

https://nittanycentral.com/feed/ James Franklin is gone, and Terry Smith is temporarily in. But after Penn State demolished Nebraska, many are calling for Smith to be the future of this program.

Penn State Nittany Lions News / CFB-HQ on SI / November 26
Rising college football coach emerges as ‘name to watch’ to replace James Franklin at Penn State

Rising college football coach emerges as ‘name to watch’ to replace James Franklin at Penn State

Penn State fired long-time coach James Franklin on October 12 after a string of damaging losses (three straight to Oregon, UCLA, and Northwestern) and a 3-3 start that left the program off its championship path.

College Football News / Yardbarker / November 25
Why Matt Rhule rejected the Penn State job

Why Matt Rhule rejected the Penn State job to stay at Nebraska

Rhule "turned down" Penn State, where he played linebacker, to stay with Nebraska for 2026. 

Kirby Smart and Georgia add to elite class with flip from Penn State 
NFL Draft intel: Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq, San Diego State CB Chris Johnson among buzzworthy prospects 
College players whose NFL draft stock has risen the most this season
The 'Orange Bowl MVPs' quiz
Penn State Nittany Lions News / Penn State Nittany Lions on SI / November 25
High-Profile Coach Surges in Penn State's Coaching Search

High-Profile Coach Surges in Penn State's Coaching Search

A new name is tracking in Penn State's coaching search, which has entered its seventh week. And it's one of the most intriguing of the process so far. Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman has surged among the top-3 candidates to become Penn State's next head coach, according to the Kalshi futures market.

NFL News / Yardbarker / November 25
NFL Draft intel: Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq, San Diego State CB Chris Johnson among buzzworthy prospects 

NFL Draft intel: Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq, San Diego State CB Chris Johnson among buzzworthy prospects 

Each week, Yardbarker monitors the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. 

Have Cowboys already made decision on George Pickens?
Kirby Smart and Georgia add to elite class with flip from Penn State 
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Penn State Nittany Lions News / CFB-HQ on SI / November 25
$54 million star college football coach surges as a favorite to be named Penn State HC

$54 million star college football coach surges as a favorite to be named Penn State HC

While LSU and Florida have taken over the college football news as the SEC programs battle to land Ole Miss' Lane Kiffin, Penn State continues to search for the Nittany Lions' next coach.

Penn State Nittany Lions News / Mike Farrell Sports / November 25
Updated Head Coach Candidates for Penn State (11/25)

Updated Head Coach Candidates for Penn State (11/25)

A great deal has happened since James Franklin was fired on October 12th. Many names have been mentioned as a replacement, but now there are two front runners as we get closer to a final decision.

Penn State Nittany Lions News / Athlon Sports / November 24
Unexpected College Football Coach Floated as Possible Candidate At Penn State

Unexpected College Football Coach Floated as Possible Candidate At Penn State

The Penn State Nittany Lions were among the first major job openings of the 2025 season after firing head coach James Franklin following a 3-3 start this season.

Penn State Nittany Lions News / Penn State Nittany Lions on SI / November 24
Where Penn State Lands in the Latest College Football Bowl Projections

Where Penn State Lands in the Latest College Football Bowl Projections

Turns out, Penn State gets a playoff game this season after all. But in its own way, as interim head coach Terry Smith said Monday. The Nittany Lions visit Rutgers on Saturday for what we might call the Bowl Eligibowl.

Penn State Nittany Lions News / Nittany Central / November 24
Terry Smith’s Case Explodes: Inside His Push to Become Penn State’s Head Coach

Terry Smith’s Case Explodes: Inside His Push to Become Penn State’s Head Coach

https://nittanycentral.com/feed/ Penn State Football interim head coach Terry Smith had a strong eight-word message when asked his thoughts about possibly having the ‘interim’ tag removed in the weeks ahead.

Penn State Nittany Lions News / Penn State Nittany Lions on SI / November 24
Why Terry Smith Believes He's the Best Coaching Candidate for Penn State

Why Terry Smith Believes He's the Best Coaching Candidate for Penn State

After earning multiple endorsements to become Penn State's next football coach, Terry Smith made the case for himself Monday. Penn State's interim head coach reiterated that he wants the full-time job but also detailed specific reasons for his candidacy.

Penn State Nittany Lions News / Nittany Central / November 24
Penn State Football: Terry Smith has Risen to the Moment, But Does he Raise the Ceiling?

Penn State Football: Terry Smith has Risen to the Moment, But Does he Raise the Ceiling?

https://nittanycentral.com/feed/ “Hire Terry!” That’s the message coming out of Penn State’s win over Nebraska. Current and former players, students, and fans, and even Terry Smith himself, are lobbying for the former defensive back/assistant head coach to be given full control of this team.

Penn State Nittany Lions News / Penn State Nittany Lions on SI / November 23
What We Learned From Penn State's Win Over Nebraska

What We Learned From Penn State's Win Over Nebraska

STATE COLLEGE | Penn State offensive lineman Vega Ioane circled the 40-yard line, holding up a “Hire Terry Smith” poster for all to see, making sure to show the nearest camera operator.

Kirby Smart News / Yardbarker / November 24
Kirby Smart and Georgia add to elite class with flip from Penn State 

Kirby Smart and Georgia add to elite class with flip from Penn State 

One has to wonder how long the Penn State Nittany Lions can go without putting together a plan at head coach, because their 2026 recruiting class is being absolutely pillaged as their future looks uncertain. Georgia is the latest program to take advantage.

Three teams getting too much credit from College Football Playoff committee
James Franklin discusses his focus at Virginia Tech amid NIL era
College players whose NFL draft stock has risen the most this season
James Franklin News / Athlon Sports / November 23
Penn State Dealt Unfortunate News On Sunday

Penn State Dealt Unfortunate News On Sunday

The Penn State Nittany Lions fired head coach James Franklin on Oct. 12, one day after losing to the Northwestern Wildcats and a 3-3 start to the 2025 season.

Penn State Nittany Lions News / Larry Brown Sports / November 22
Penn State running back got hit so hard that the paint flew off his helmet

Penn State running back got hit so hard that the paint flew off his helmet

Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton took a cartoonish hit Saturday in his team’s matchup against Nebraska at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa.

College Football News / Yardbarker / November 22
Terry Smith: James Franklin poses 'threat' to Penn State

Terry Smith: James Franklin poses 'immediate threat' to Penn State

Although the two are close, it's worth noting that Smith is cognizant of the specific danger that Franklin poses to his old program.

James Franklin discusses his focus at Virginia Tech amid NIL era
College players whose NFL draft stock has risen the most this season
The 'Orange Bowl MVPs' quiz
Penn State Nittany Lions News / Daily Faceoff / November 19
NCAA Men’s Power Rankings: Penn State splits with Michigan, upsets in the NCHC

NCAA Men’s Power Rankings: Penn State splits with Michigan, upsets in the NCHC

After a rough weekend in East Lansing, Penn State had a crucial weekend series against Michigan. While the Nittany Lions were unable to pull out a sweep at home, a win on Saturday has given the team a little bit of optimism as we head toward the holiday season.

James Franklin News / Larry Brown Sports / November 18
Franklin agreed to make major change to Penn State buyout

James Franklin agreed to make major change to his Penn State buyout

James Franklin made a major concession to Penn State before agreeing to become the new head coach at Virginia Tech.

Virginia Tech has a new identity with James Franklin hire
College players whose NFL draft stock has risen the most this season
The 'Orange Bowl MVPs' quiz

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